Improvement in carpet-cleaning machines



. J. RA E. GaTpet-Gleaning Machine. 203,853.

- No. Patented May 21,1878.

Witnesses UNITED STATEsf-PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN RAE, on NEW YORK, N. Y, nssienon' 'ro THOMAS M. srEwAnr, or

SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARPET-CLEANING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 203,853, dated May 21, 1878; application filed April 16, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN RAE, of the city of New York, county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Cleaning Carpets, of which the following is a specification Figure l is a front elevation, partly in section, of my improved machine for cleaning carpets. Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof, showing the heaters in their lowermost position. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same, with the heaters in their uppermost position; Fig. 4, a vertical transverse section on the line as m, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in all the figures.

This invention relates to an improvement in machines for cleaning carpets; and has for its object to impart to the heaters a motion which will cause them to strike the carpet gently, and with more effect than in the carpet-cleaning machines heretofore used.

In the carpet-cleaning machines as heretofore generally made the heaters received their motion through a rack and pinion or other rigid connection. This rigid connection caused.

a sudden and violent stroke of the heaters, that was injurious to the fabric and not very effective in cleaning the same.

Now, my invention consists in combining, in a carpet-cleaning machine, each of the shafts that carry the heaters by means of two straps with two actuating-cams placed at or at about right angles to each other, and receiving oscillatin g motion from the driving mechanism. In this manner a flexible yielding motion will be imparted to the heaters, causing them to strike the carpet gently and with great efi'ect.

The invention also enables me to regulate with great exactness, by the shape of the cams, the velocity of motion of the heaters on approaching toward and receding from the carpet, all as hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing, the letter A represents the frame of my improved carpet-cleaning machine. The same is made of wood or other suitable material, and provided with two or more parallel uprights, a a, between and into which the shafts b b, that carry the heaters c c, are hung.

The carpet (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2) is fed from the top of the machine gradually downward behind the heaters, which, being revolved in a half-circle upward and downward, strike the carpet at each extremity of motion, thereby cleaning the carpet. All this, however, is not part of my invention,

which consists of the combination of parts hereinafter described.

d is a shaft hung in the frame A, and connected by a suitable link, 0, to a crank on the rotary driving-shaft f, so that oscillating motion is imparted to the shaft d. Instead of having but one shaft, d, two or more such shafts may be used according to the number of rows of heaters.

Fig. 1 shows two shafts, d, in the frame A. Upon each shaft cl are rigidly secured two cams or eccentrics, g and g, each of about semi-elliptic shape, and both of equal size, and placed at about right angles to each other.

To the cam g are secured, and around its curved portion are laid, the ends of several straps, h, each of which straps connecting at its other end with one of the shafts b. To the curved edges of the cam g are also secured several straps, h, which likewise connect to the respective shafts b b, but opposite to the sides to which the straps h are connected, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

During the operation of the machine the straps it will serve to draw the heaters into their lowermost position, while the straps h will draw them into their uppermost position.

When motion is imparted to the cams g g the series of straps h h and h h will be alternately set in operation, and thereby impart oscillating motion to the shafts b b thereby the heaters c 0 are turned up and down, striking the carpet at or near the terminus of each motion. Thus, in Fig. 2 the cam g is shown in a position where it has, by the straps h,- drawn the heaters 0 into theirlowermost position. In Fig. 3 the cam g has again raised the heaters into their uppermost position.

By means of the straps h and h a yielding elastic motion will be imparted to the heaters, which will cause them to strike the carpet gently and effectively. Moreover, by curving the cams g g to a greater or less extent at different parts of their circumference,- I may g and straps h and h, all constructed and arcause the motion of the heaters to vary, causranged so that oscillating motion is imparted v ing them to approach the carpet with greater to the heaters with Varying velocity, substanvelocity, and to recede with less velocity. tially as and for the purpose herein specified. I claim- JOHN RAE. The combination, in a carpet-cleaning ma- Witnesses:

chine, of the frame A, with the shafts b, carry- F. V. BRIESEN,

ing heaters c, and. with the oscillating cams g A. V. BRIESEN. 

